Okada highlights Warrior effort, Tigers take match

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Warriors returned to the mat in dual action on Thursday night. Tyler Okada's tech fall highlighted Waldorf University on the mat, but host Dakota Wesleyan took the first three bouts and the match, 33-14, wrestling final.

Trailing 12-0 after the first three matches, Okada put Warrior points on the scoreboard in a big way. At 149, the senior dominated Taten Bahm and ended the match in the first period (2:38) with a 19-3 technical fall for the biggest Warrior win and five team points. Okada took down Bahm four times and had two near-fall series, including a four-point one to end the match.

Dakota Wesleyan answered with two more wins and increased its lead to 21-5. Daven Hames battled in the 174-pound class and came away with a 7-3 decision over Elijah Isakson on the strength of a takedown in both the first two periods for a 21-8 team score.

Ellis Hughes put the most Waldorf team points up as he received a forfeit at 184 and pulled the Warriors to within 21-14. The Tigers, though, drew back-to-back forfeits in both the 197 and 285 classes for the 33-14 final score.

Dakota Wesleyan registered an opening 125-pound fall. Malachi Aispuro made a furious comeback at 133. The Warrior wrestler was down 7-5 after two periods and 14-6 midway through the second. He came back with a reversal, a 3-point takedown and two near fall points only to fall short, 15-13.

Despite having a 3-point takedown series, Shiwoko Shiwoko could not mount more offense in the final two periods and fell 9-5 in the 141 match to Zach Zitek.

Waldorf will have Friday off before it treks to Crete, Neb. for the Doane Open on Saturday, Dec. 7.

125 – Jaxson Irvine (DW) over Zachary Southern – Fall (2:48) -  6-0 DW
133 – Chase Preston (DW) over Malachi Aispuro – Dec (15-13) -  9-0 DW
141 – Zach Zitek (DW) over Shiwoko Shiwoko – Dec. (9-5) - 12-0 DW
149 – Tyler Okada (WU) over Taten Bahm – Tech Fall (19-3 in 2:38) - 12-5 DW
157 – Jackson Remmers (DW) over Dalton Thorson – Fall (0:55) - 18-5 DW
165 – Tyson Johnson (DW) over Preston Ray – Dec. (9-5) - 21-5 DW
174 – Daven Hames (WU) over Elijah Isakson – Dec. (7-3) - 21-8 DW
184 – Ellis Hughes (WU) won by forfeit - 21-14 DW
197 – Colten Hink (DW) won by forfeit -  27-14 DW
285 – Cole Hennings (DW) won by forfeit - 33-14 DW